Priyank Mallikarjun KHARGE, Minister for Electronics, IT/BT, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Govt of Karnataka Priyank is a politician from Indian National Congress and Serving as the Cabinet Minister in the Government of Karnataka. He is 3 time Member of Legislative Assembly from Chittapur Constituency in Kalaburagi District of Karnataka. Known for his inspiring & insightful leadership qualities, he is one of the most promising policy makers in the country. He has been influential in conceptualising & implementing out of the box policies & schemes that have had great impact on the lives of thousands of people. An animator by profession, he is a rare breed that understands the nuances of technology & policy making. He has a perfect understanding of rural & urban demands & has always been championing activities that have social & economic impact. Priyank has been the torch bearer for innovations & inventions in Karnataka & is credited with providing opportunities to hundreds of startups during his tenure as an IT Minister. His programs & policies like i4 policy, AVGC policy, Elevate, Startup Cell, GAFX amongst others ensured that startups, SMEs & MSMEs had a great platform to get to the next level. Not many are aware of the fact that Priyank conceptualised Bengaluru’s brand identity & logo to position the city has a global city destination, the first city in India to do so. This has had a great impact on the city making it one fastest growing destinations in Asia.
Deepak NG was appointed as Managing Director for Dassault Systèmes India in February 2020. He joined Dassault Systèmes in 2011 and carries more than 21 years of experience across different industries. He has driven key transformational projects in various industries including Automotive, Aerospace and Defense, High-tech, and Government. In his previous role at Dassault Systèmes, as Director of Global Affairs and Innovative Business Development, he was instrumental to establish new partnerships by engaging in smart city projects and by developing industry-based programs for the workforce of the future.
Dr. Pramod VARMA is the former Chief Architect of Aadhaar, India's digital identity program that has successfully covered nearly 1.4 billion people. He was also the chief architect for various India Stack layers such as eSign, DigiLocker, and Unified Payment Interface (UPI), all of which are now working at population scale in India. He played an integral role in architecting India’s digital health infrastructure, vaccination and immunization infrastructure (Co-WIN & DIVOC).He is currently the CTO at EkStep Foundation, a not-for-profit helping build Digital Public Infrastructure such as DIKSHA and ONEST network in education and skilling sectors via open source digital building blocks under project Sunbird. DIKSHA currently provides learning opportunities to 200+ million children and 10+ million teachers in India. Sunbird building blocks are used in other learning, skilling, and capacity building efforts in India and other countries.In addition, he is the Co-Founder of FIDE, co-creator of the open source Beckn Protocol that helps create decentralized open discovery, fulfillment, and transaction networks in various domains. Beckn protocol is the base protocol for India’s new efforts such as Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC.org), Kochi Open Mobility Network, Namma Yatri, and ONEST.He is an adjunct faculty at IIIT-B and Co-Chair at the global Center for DPI, a non-profit, helping countries design and architect Digital Public Infrastructure systems in addition to building local capacity.He is an advisor to Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), National Payment Corporation (NPCI), Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), National Health Authority (NHA), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), Turing Institute Identity Initiative in the UK, and helps with many DPI initiatives in India and across the globe. He is a regular speaker, evangelist for open source efforts, and actively advocates DPI approach as a means to drive inclusive and equitable economic growth. Pramod holds a Master’s and Ph.D. degree in Computer Science along with a second Master’s in Applied Mathematics. His interests include Internet scale distributed architectures and intelligent systems. He is passionate about technology, science, society, and teaching.
35 years of exemplary service, began his journey in 1989 after graduating from IIM Kolkata, where he was deeply moved by the drought-stricken district of Kalahandi. He initially joined as a Young Professional under a Rajiv Gandhi government initiative to attract talent to the development sector. Throughout his career, Prof. Rao has worked extensively across Odisha with government agencies, NGOs like Gram Vikas, and academic institutions such as XIM Bhubaneswar. In 2005, he co-founded the Centurion Group of Institutes, which focuses on providing education in the Naxal-affected regions of South Odisha. Prof. Rao has significant experience in rural development and social advisory roles, including being a social advisor on “Project Water,” funded by the Indo-Canadian Water Facility, and leading various development projects aimed at improving the lives of marginalized communities in Odisha. He was also the head of CENDERET at XIMB, a resource support institution that managed development funds from international NGOs. His consultancy work spans organizations like DFID, USAID, World Bank, and companies such as BSES, Reliance Energy, and BHP. He played a pivotal role in coordinating relief efforts after the Orissa Super Cyclone and was a lead advisor for micro-privatization initiatives in the power sector in Odisha and other states. Prof. Rao’s expertise also extends to energy access, energy efficiency, and promoting solar power solutions in rural areas. Currently, Prof. Rao is a co-promoter of the Centurion Group of Institutes, leading their social outreach initiatives under the GramTarang banner, which operates under Centurion University. Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM) is a leading institution in India, particularly noted for its focus on skill-based education. Centurion University (CU) is a multi-sector, private university from Odisha, India. With its main campus earlier at Parlakhemundi in the Gajapati and another constituent campus located at Jatni, on the fringes of Bhubaneswar, which is now as main campus & it was accorded the status of a university in the year 2010. The university has been accredited by NAAC with 'A+' Grade, thereby becoming the youngest private university to have earned the distinction. With campuses in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, the university offers a diverse range of courses across disciplines such as allied health sciences, engineering, technology, media, communication, agriculture, management, and forensic science. The university has been recognized for its innovative teaching pedagogy that emphasizes experiential learning and solving real-world problems. This approach has made CUTM a sought-after institution, particularly in creating an industry-ready workforce. The university operates about 50 on-campus manufacturing setups and advanced industry-sponsored labs that enhance skill-based education for its students. In 2024, CUTM was awarded the Outstanding Skill University Award at the World Education Summit, underlining its commitment to creating an industry-relevant education system. Additionally, the university ranked 18th in India in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings for its efforts in promoting Sustainable Development Goals. CUTM is also on the UGC's Eligible List for academic collaboration with foreign universities, further expanding its global reach and influence.
Sunil S NAIR, the Co-founder and Director of Magic Myna Private Limited, holds an MBA from the University of Madras and has more than 20 years of experience in the mobility and transportation sector working with reputable multinational companies across the globe.In 2020, Sunil decided to depart from his corporate career after witnessing the challenges faced by his fellow citizens during the 2018 floods in his home state of Kerala, where there were severe issues with last mile connectivity impacting medical aid. Along with his co-founders, he established Magic Myna with the mission of democratizing air mobility and last-mile logistics solutions.Magic Myna, as a Technology Transfer (ToT) partner of CSIR-NAL, aims to deploy and promote drones for Societal and Strategic applications ranging from Agriculture , Logistics to Strategic Sectors. Further the entity pioneers in Customisation of platforms for unique applications . Magic Myna’s R&D Center, located in the pristine outskirts of Coimbatore, embraces sustainable practices, green energy initiatives and adopts Industry 4.0 manufacturing solutions to minimize concept to product lead time with reduced carbon footprint.Currently, Magic Myna's UAVs are powered by a combination of lithium polymer and hybrid electrical propulsion systems with reduced dependency on fossil fuels . To further accelerate sustainable mobility solutions Magic Myna is presently working to pioneer Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered UAV’s. By doing so, they aim to contribute to high-endurance, sustainable, and eco-friendly air mobility solutions paving way for Cleaner Greener Mobility in the Skies.
Dinesh PARTHASARATHY is the Executive Vice President for Manufacturing at Agnikul Cosmos. With six years of dedicated experience, Dinesh has significantly impacted the field with his innovative contributions. One of his most notable achievements is the development of the world's first single-piece 3D-printed engine, a milestone that underscores his commitment to advancing aerospace technology. Dinesh also played a crucial role in the successful launch of India’s first semi-cryogenic sub-orbital launch vehicle, further demonstrating his technical expertise and leadership capabilities. His ability to solve complex problems and his strategic thinking have established him as a key figure in the industry. Dinesh holds an undergraduate degree in Automobile Engineering from Anna University, where he laid the foundation for his technical acumen. His career at Agnikul Cosmos is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a passion for pushing the boundaries of aerospace engineering. Dinesh continues to drive significant advancements in the field, positioning Agnikul Cosmos at the forefront of aerospace innovation. His contributions are not only shaping the future of aerospace engineering but also inspiring the next generation of engineers and innovators.
Shri Moukthik Kiran REDDY is a visionary leader and accomplished tech entrepreneur with over 18 years of expertise in business processes, operations management, and strategic planning. As the Founder, Director, and CEO of UAV TECH, he is instrumental in defining the company’s product and technology roadmap, driving innovation, fostering growth, and expanding its global footprint. Under his dynamic leadership, UAV TECH has become a pioneer in the aerial mobility space, developing advanced drone technology tailored to mid-mile logistics markets. His strategic insights have propelled ventures like Tranxaction and Payism Global to prominence in the global value chain markets, showcasing his ability to turn ideas into thriving businesses. Moukthik's passion for urban aerial mobility drives UAV TECH's mission to push the boundaries of Advanced Aerial Mobility (AAM) and transform the logistics landscape through groundbreaking technological advancements. His leadership is about pioneering change, embracing innovation, and shaping the future of urban aerial mobility.
Dr. Sriharsha SHESHANARAYANA is an accomplished engineer and technology leader with a focus on vehicle autonomy and electric mobility. He earned his PhD from Queen's University Belfast, where he collaborated with Airbus UK on research in aircraft design and optimization. He also holds a master's degree in aircraft structures from ISAE Toulouse, France.
As the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Bullwork Mobility, a Bangalore-based startup, Dr. Sheshanarayana is committed to making automation and access to technology more accessible for farmers in India and globally. His work is centered on leveraging AI to bring next-generation technology to the agricultural sector, with the goal of improving efficiency and sustainability.
Dr. Sheshanarayana’s industry experience includes significant research in the design optimization of aircraft structures and preliminary design. This background has provided him with a deep understanding of complex systems, which he now applies to the development of autonomous and electric vehicles at Bullwork Mobility.
His professional interests span vehicle design, vehicle control, robotics, AI autonomy for vehicles, and optimization. With a blend of academic knowledge and hands-on industry experience, Dr. Sheshanarayana brings valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in advancing technology for agriculture and mobility.
Tanuj MITTAL leads Customer Process Experience engagement channel in India. He was appointed to this role in January 2021. In his current role, he is responsible for the overall growth of this channel in India. He is a seasoned professional with a strong track record of success in driving revenue growth and leading high-performing sales teams. With extensive experience in the information technology industry, he possess a deep understanding of the product development life cycle, market dynamics and customer requirements. Customer Process Experience engagement channel works for customer value creation in collaboration with Value Added Resellers and leverage 3DEXPERIENCE Platform to engage and build lasting relationships with customers and users. Prior to this, Mr. Mittal was responsible for driving strategy and revenue for new industry domain and markets like Manufacturing, Energy & Materials (Mining) and Life Sciences, which are strategic for the long-term growth of DASSAULT SYSTEMES in India. He joined DASSAULT SYSTEMES in 2010 and have since taken up various roles before taking up the current assignment. Overall, he has been working for the past 27+ years in various local and global organizations in technology and sales functions. He is a mechanical engineer and holds master’s degree in business management.
Jane JENKINS has been a pivotal leader in the tech industry since joining Dassault Systèmes in 2012. Initially serving as the Senior European Finance Director for BIOVIA, she later became the CFO and Head of Operations for Northern Europe before advancing to her current role as Vice President of Global Business Development HUB. In this capacity, Jane is responsible for steering the Global Direct Cloud Business across three key regions: EMEA, Americas, and Asia Pacific.Jane leads two specialized teams within the HUB, each with distinct missions. The Business Developers team focuses on lead generation and opportunity pipeline management for all engagement models, while the Inside Sales and Industry Consulting teams act as a SaaS Business Development Incubator.Before her tenure at Dassault Systèmes, Jane held senior finance positions at various companies, further solidifying her expertise in financial leadership. She earned a First-Class Bachelor's degree in Business and Finance with an emphasis on International Business from the University of Reading and a First-Class Master's degree in Auditing, Management Accounting, and Information Systems from the University of Lille 1 Sciences and Technology. Her visionary leadership and strategic insights have been central to driving global business growth and innovation at Dassault Systèmes.
Ramakrishnan VENKATARAMAN, has been in the CAD/CAM/CAE/PLM industry for the last 25 years. He has been instrumental in the Business transformation of the manufacturing industry sector by providing his expert consulting services and solutions to address the challenges. He is very passionate about helping the organization bring new products to markets faster by engaging with them from concept to production. His technical background with a deeper understanding of product design and manufacturing has made a distinctive connection with various CXOs in the Indian manufacturing sector. His specialization is Product Design, Automation, Product life cycle management, and enterprise applications. Currently, he is working with Dassault Systemes as Director for SOLIDWORKS and 3DEXPERIENCE Works.
Mr. Praveen Mysore is Technical Director at Dassault Systèmes India Private Limited. He has been associated with Dassault Systèmes since 2002. Before joining Dassault Systèmes he was working with Mahindra & Mahindra, Mumbai as Press Tool Designer.
At Dassault Systèmes, he has held various positions starting with Application Engineer, Technical Manager, Brand Sales Director and now Technical Director. He is responsible for engaging with clients across 12 industry verticals on business transformational projects. His main focus is to drive the value engagements with clients to ensure that clients maximize the value of the solution from Dassault Systèmes and benefit from business transformation.
He has worked with many Indian and overseas clients in Asia Pacific region deploying the digital solution for engineering, manufacturing and governance from Dassault Systèmes.
Mr. Praveen holds M. Tech in Mechanical Engineering from VTU.